Detailed spatio‐temporal sediment supply reconstruction using tree roots data

Floods are an important geomorphic agent that accelerate sediment supply from bank failures. The quantitative proportions supplied by lateral inputs and the transport conditions of the channel can create local or extended accumulation zones within the channel reaches. These accumulation zones play an important role in the geomorphic regime of the stream. Knowledge of long‐term history of sediment supply is necessary to determine how these input and deposition forms developed. This study introduces a new approach for the quantification of past sediment supply via lateral erosion (incised banks and individual bank failures), using a case study of the confluence of three partial tributaries in the accumulation zone in the Outer Western Carpathians. For each tributary, as well as the channel reach downstream of the confluence zone, we calculated the mean of the largest bed particles and the unit stream power as indicators of transport capacity. We found that two of the tributaries supply significant amounts of sediment to the accumulation zone because of their higher unit stream power related to their higher transport potential, and observed coarser bed sediment. Seventy‐three bank failures with a total volume 395.5 m³ were mapped, and the sediment supply volume was dated using dendrogeomorphic analysis of 114 scarred tree roots (246 samples). The total volume of the dated sediment supply in the individual tributaries was 193.9 m³, whereas the volume of erosion in the accumulation zone was only 4.9 m³ for a period of approximately 30 years. The period represented by the dated tree roots included 12 years in which erosion events occurred and impacted the total sediment budget in the study area. Although sediment supply was greater than erosion in the accumulation zone, there are no present‐day signs of accretion. The rupture of a dam in an old pond (which is situated approximately 50 m below the accumulation zone) probably increased the transport conditions in the accumulation zone so that it balanced the high sediment supply from individual tributaries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrate transport in the unsaturated zone: a case study of the riverbank filtration system Karany,Czech Republic

Nitrate transport in the unsaturated zone of a riverbank filtration (RBF) system in Karany, Czech Republic, was studied. Previous study of the system estimated RBF recharge as 60% riverbank filtrate and 40% local groundwater contaminated by nitrates. Nitrate concentrations observed in RBF recently cannot be explained by simple groundwater contamination and a new conception of groundwater recharge is suggested. A two‐component model based on water ¹⁸O data modelled recharge of local groundwater. One component of groundwater recharge is rainfall and irrigation water moving through the unsaturated zone of the Quaternary sediments in piston flow. The second component is groundwater from the Cretaceous deposits with a free water table. Both the components of groundwater recharge have different nitrate concentrations, and resulting contamination of groundwater depends on the participation of water from Quaternary and Cretaceous deposits. Nitrates' origins and their mixing in the subsurface were traced by ¹⁵N data. Nitrate transport from the unsaturated zone is important and time variable source of groundwater contamination. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shallow Water Dissipation Processes for Wind Waves off the Mackenzie Delta

This study focuses on two physical processes for waves in shallow waters off the Mackenzie Delta: bottom friction and depth-induced breaking terms. We use field observations of winds and waves, the state-of-the-art Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model, and reanalysis wind and wave data. The two field observation periods are an August 2008 field experiment, during which in situ field data were collected, and an Arctic storm when data were recorded by buoy measurements from 4 to 6 August 1991. Wind and wave development processes are analyzed during these two periods with comparisons to observed winds and waves. Our analyses show that bottom friction is the main shallow water physical process during the August 2008 field experiment, whereas depth-induced breaking is the dominant shallow water physical process during the 4–6 August 1991 storm, in conjunction with the effects of bottom friction. The SWAN wave model is used to investigate the shallow water physical processes during these two observation periods. Simulation results indicate that the model can give reasonable results, with an appropriate Collins coefficient of 0.006 and a wave breaking parameter of 0.55 to represent bottom friction and depth-induced breaking physics, respectively.

RÉSUMÉ?[Traduit par la rédaction] Cette étude porte sur deux processus physiques concernant les vagues dans les eaux peu profondes au large du delta du Mackenzie : les termes du frottement contre le fond et du déferlement lié à la profondeur. Nous utilisons des observations du vent et des vagues, le modèle d'avant-garde SWAN (Simulating Waves Nearshore) et des données de vent et de vagues réanalysées. Les deux périodes d'observations sont une expérience sur le terrain réalisée en août 2008, au cours de laquelle des données de terrain ont été recueillies, et une tempête arctique lors de laquelle des mesures faites par bouée du 4 au 6 août 1991 ont été enregistrées. Nous analysons les processus dévolution du vent et des vagues durant ces deux périodes, et comparons avec le vent et les vagues observées. Nos analyses montrent que le frottement contre le fond est le processus physique en eaux peu profondes le plus important durant l'expérience sur le terrain d'août 2008, alors que le déferlement lié à la profondeur est le processus physique en eaux peu profondes dominant pendant la tempête arctique du 4 au 6 août 1991, en combinaison avec les effets du frottement contre le fond. Nous nous servons du modèle de vagues SWAN pour étudier les processus physiques en eaux peu profondes durant ces deux périodes d'observations. Les résultats des simulations indiquent que le modèle peut donner des résultats raisonnables, avec un coefficient de Collins approprié de 0,006 et un paramètre de déferlement de 0,55 pour représenter la physique du frottement contre le fond et du déferlement lié à la profondeur, respectivement.     

The P–T path of the ultra-high pressure Lago Di Cignana and adjoining high-pressure meta-ophiolitic units: insights into the evolution of the subducting Tethyan slab

The Lago di Cignana ultra‐high‐pressure unit (LCU), which consists of coesite–eclogite facies metabasics and metasediments, preserves the most deeply subducted oceanic rocks worldwide. New constraints on the prograde and early retrograde evolution of this ultra‐high pressure unit and adjoining units provide important insights into the evolution of the Piemontese–Ligurian palaeo‐subduction zone, active in Paleocene–Eocene times. In the LCU, a first prograde metamorphic assemblage, consisting of omphacite + Ca‐amphibole + epidote + rare biotite + ilmenite, formed during burial at estimated P < 1.7 GPa and 350 < T < 480 °C. Similar metamorphic conditions of 400 < T < 650 °C and 1.0 < P < 1.7 GPa have been estimated for the meta‐ophiolitic rocks juxtaposed to the LCU. The prograde assemblage is partially re‐equilibrated into the peak assemblage garnet + omphacite + Na‐amphibole + lawsonite + coesite + rutile, whose conditions were estimated at 590 < T < 605 °C and P > 3.2 GPa. The prograde path was characterized by a gradual decrease in the thermal gradient from ～9–10 to ～5–6 °C km^?1. This variation is interpreted as the evidence of an increase in the rate of subduction of the Piemonte–Ligurian oceanic slab in the Eocene. Accretion of the Piemontese oceanic rocks to the Alpine orogen and thermal relaxation were probably related to the arrival of more buoyant continental crust at the subduction zone. Subsequent deformation of the orogenic wedge is responsible for the present position of the LCU, sandwiched between two tectonic slices of meta‐ophiolites, named the Lower and Upper Units, which experienced peak pressures of 2.7–2.8 and <2.4 GPa respectively.     

大尺度环流系统对西北太平洋变性TC频数影响的气候诊断分析

基于中国热带气旋年鉴资料,从气候学角度出发,对西北太平洋TC(热带气旋)发生温带变性的频数与大尺度环流系统间的关系进行了诊断和分析.研究发现变性TC多发生于夏、秋两季,通过对NCEP月平均再分析资料的500hPa高度场进行EOF分解,发现西北太平洋TC变性的频数与65°N附近强冷高压系统在夏、秋两季都存在着正相关关系,且相关性在秋季高于夏季;与30°N附近强副热带高压系统存在负相关关系,夏季副热带高压系统的作用更大;与30°N以南西北太平洋多台风活动区域的弱低压存在显著的负相关,低压越弱,对流越弱,则TC的生成数越少,其中发生变性的TC数也会减少.500hPa高度场EOF分解的第一特征向量所对应的时间函数分布在20世纪70年代中期前后出现了反号,较好地对应了变性TC年频数的年际变化趋势,70年代中期之前变性TC呈总体偏多,之后变性TC的频数总体偏少,呈明显下降趋势.     

Sedimentation in the floodplains of the Mekong Delta,Vietnam. Part I: suspended sediment dynamics

Suspended sediment is the primary source for a sustainable agro‐ecosystem in the Mekong Delta by providing nutrient input for the subsequent cropping season. In addition, the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) plays an important role in the erosion and deposition processes in the Delta; that is, it influences the morphologic development and may counteract the deltaic subsidence and sea level rise. Despite this importance, little is known about the dynamics of suspended sediment in the floodplains of the Mekong Delta. In particular, quantitative analyses are lacking mainly because of data scarcity with respect to the inundation processes in the floodplains. In 2008, therefore, a comprehensive in situ system to monitor the dynamics of suspended sediment in a study area located in the Plain of Reeds was established, aiming at the characterization and quantification of suspended sediment dynamics in the deeply inundated parts of the Vietnamese part of the Mekong Delta. The monitoring system was equipped with seven water quality–monitoring stations. They have a robust design and autonomous power supply suitable for operation on inundated floodplains, enabling the collection of reliable data over a long period of time with a high temporal resolution. The data analysis shows that the general seasonal dynamics of suspended sediment transport in the Delta is controlled by two main mechanisms: the flood wave of the Mekong River and the tidal backwater influences from the coast. In the channel network, SSC decreases exponentially with distance from the Mekong River. The anthropogenic influence on SSC could also be identified for two periods: at the start of the floodplain inundation and at the end of the flood period, when subsequent paddy rice crops are prepared. Based on the results, we recommend an operation scheme for the sluice gates, which intends to distribute the sediment and thus the nutrients equally over the floodplain. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Abrupt changes in the discharge and sediment load of the Pearl River,China

The abrupt changes in the streamflow and sediment load at nine hydrological stations of the Pearl River basin were systematically analysed by using the simple two‐phase linear regression scheme and the coherency analysis technique. Possible underlying causes were also discussed. Our study results indicated that abrupt changes in the streamflow occurred mainly in the early 1990s. The change points were followed by significant decreasing streamflow. Multiscale abrupt behaviour of the sediment load classified the hydrological stations into two groups: (1) Xiaolongtan, Nanning and Liuzhou; and (2) Qianjiang, Dahuangjiangkou, Wuzhou, Gaoyao, Shijiao and Boluo. The grouped categories implied obvious influences of water reservoirs on the hydrological processes of the Pearl River. On the basis of analysis of the locations and the construction time of the water reservoirs, and also the time when the change points occurred, we figured out different ways the water reservoirs impacted the hydrological processes within the Pearl River basin. As for the hydrological variation along the mainstream of the Pearl River, the water reservoirs have considerable influences on both the streamflow and sediment load variations; however, more influences seemed to be exerted on the sediment load transport. In the North River, the hydrological processes seemed to be influenced mainly by climate changes. In the East River, the hydrological variations tended to be impacted by the water reservoirs. The study results also indicated no fixed modes when we address the influences of water reservoirs on hydrological processes. Drainage area and regulation behaviour of the water reservoirs should be taken into account. The results of this study will be of considerable importance for the effective water resources management of the Pearl River basin under the changing environment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

西大别熊店地区榴辉岩变质作用的P-T轨迹研究

西大别熊店地区的榴辉岩多属于高压榴辉岩,主要矿物为石榴石、角闪石、绿辉石、绿泥石、白云母、石英、以及少量金红石及长石。石榴石具有明显的生长环带。本次研究利用榴辉岩样品的全岩成分定量的绘制了P-T视剖面图,根据石榴石的端元成分含量,计算得出了石榴石成分剖面所对应的温压条件。其核部的温压条件为21. 5 × 10 ⁸ Pa ～ 22. 2 × 10 ⁸ Pa,450℃ ～ 463℃,对应的矿物组合为石榴石 + 绿辉石 + 蓝闪石 + 阳起石 + 硬柱石 + 绿泥石 + （白云母 + 水）;边缘的温压条件为6 × 10 ⁸ Pa ～ 8 × 10 ⁸ Pa,610℃ ～ 630℃,该温压条件对应的矿物组合为石榴石 + 普通角闪石 + 斜长石 + 透辉石 ＋ （白云母 + 水）,从而得到石榴石变质演化的P-T轨迹,由此反映出石榴石变质过程是一个升温降压的过程。     

西太平洋暖池冰期旋回中的类ENSO式演化及其驱动机制

作为全球接受太阳辐射最多、表层海水温度最高的区域,西太平洋暖池区通过厄尔尼诺-南方涛动(El Niño-Southern Oscillation,ENSO)和季风等过程影响着全球气候的变化。越来越多的沉积记录证明,在地质历史时期西太平洋暖池也存在类似于现代ENSO过程的“类ENSO式”变化。而目前类ENSO式变化与冰期—间冰期旋回之间的响应关系和驱动机制及其与东亚季风的关联仍存在争议。本文利用位于暖池核心区的B10岩心浮游有孔虫氧同位素、Mg/Ca(质量分数比)和黏土矿物参数重建了暖池区氧同位素8期以来的古气候记录,并结合已有的热带海表温度记录、中国石笋氧同位素和南大洋地区海表温度记录,研究了西太平洋暖池冰期旋回中类ENSO状态的演化规律及其与东亚季风的关系,并探讨了暖池区类ENSO演化的驱动机制。结果发现:冰期时,西太平洋暖池区温跃层变浅,赤道东、西太平洋温差减小,同时,东亚夏季风减弱,暖池区降水量相对减少,与现代El Niño时期气候态类似;间冰期时,西太平洋暖池区温跃层加深,赤道东、西太平洋温差增大,东亚冬夏季风增强,暖池区降水量相对增加,与现代La Niña时期气候态类似。频谱分析结果表明,西太平洋暖池区海表温度的变化具有偏心率周期(96 ka)。冰消期时,低纬度太阳辐射量的增加,增大了纬向上的SST梯度,并使得次表层海水储存了更多的热量,积累的热量会通过调节次表层环流向暖池区的热传输,最终调控赤道太平洋地区Walker环流强度和ENSO活动的长期变化。而冰期时,南大洋地区降温所引起的东南信风和大洋环流异常可能对类ENSO式起到调控的作用。     

南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷西江凹陷与陆丰凹陷差异裂陷过程定量分析

西江凹陷和陆丰凹陷均位于南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷,前者盆地结构为两条NE向铲式边界断层控制的近对称地堑,后者表现为6条弯曲主干断层控制的“两洼夹一隆”构造格局。文章运用三维地震资料,在盆地结构、断裂系统描述的基础上,选取了两个凹陷共8条地震—地质剖面进行平衡剖面恢复,计算两幕裂陷阶段盆地伸展量、拆离深度等定量参数,并据此分析二者差异裂陷演化过程及与区域构造演化之间的联系。两个凹陷在新生代均经历裂陷一幕、二幕以及裂后拗陷阶段,其中每幕裂陷又可细分为早、晚两个亚幕。西江和陆丰凹陷的裂陷演化具有时空差异性。从裂陷一幕到二幕,二者伸展量都具有随时间减小的一般特征,其中西江凹陷的伸展量随时间持续减小,在裂陷二幕晚期仍具有较大伸展量,而陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕早期伸展量略有升高,但在晚期伸展量急剧减小,其减弱程度远大于西江凹陷。两个凹陷的拆离深度都具有随时间逐渐加深的特征。在裂陷一幕早、晚亚幕,陆丰凹陷的拆离深度略大于西江凹陷。在裂陷二幕早、晚亚幕,西江凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km增长至9 km左右,而陆丰凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km跳跃式增长至约35 km。盆地的几何结构、断裂系统以及伸展量和拆离深度变化特征均反映陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕晚期受热沉降作用或提前结束裂陷阶段,而西江凹陷在裂陷二幕之后结束裂陷作用。研究区的裂陷阶段自东向西逐渐结束可能受控于东北次海盆的扩张及南海的自东向西渐进式扩张。区域板块构造演化提供了珠江口盆地沿其轴向向SW方向伸展作用增强的差异伸展环境。该研究所揭示的盆地裂陷演化差异性对认识珠江口盆地的裂陷时限的时空分布和差异裂陷演化都具有重要的意义,也对认识南海北部大陆边缘裂陷过程提供重要的定量数据约束。